Remotely operated fluid coupling mechanism for a rolling mill or a similar device



Oct. 22, 1968 c. F. KRAUSS ET 3,406,552

REMOTELY OPERATED FLUID COUPLING MECHANISM FOR A ROLLING MILL OR ASIMILAR DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan.

ATTOR N EYS HH 8 mm m m m m I O A WW6 WWW NK l K 4 F a I mm m Y IIY B 8a w 2 m R w w m m l 5 5 1| 2 o 3 8 O 24 wml 24 Mm 4 O8 2 Q T m 2 l m/m4\ w 1 1 WV A 2 T 2 w M m \\\/m w m} 1 im a 2 2 2 Oct. 22, 1968 c. F.KRAUSS ET AL 3,406,552

REMOTELY OPERATED FLUID COUPLING MECHANISM FOR A ROLLING MILL OR ASIMILAR DEVICE Filed Jan. E, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I FIG. 2

I64 7 3l6 3'4 I52 324 I66- I82 O \[J I 1 V\ v 172 I |60 oo 3o4 zzz: A30o N: I62

x Q E 312 I 3|o 302 I50 2 E |so ,330

F I 1 I 266 268 340 l we I (264 MAN. 1

INVENTORS A 260 262 CARL F. KRAUSS 8 JAMES K. WINGARD RESERVOIR gATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,406,552 REMOTELY OPERATED FLUIDCOUPLING MECHANISM FOR A ROLLING MILL OR A SIMILAR DEVICE Carl F. Kraussand James K. Wingard, Salem, Ohio, assignors to E. W. Bliss Company,Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 6, 1966, Ser. No.519,153 8 Claims. (Cl. 72-236) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There isprovided a device for coupling and uncoupling the coolant and lubricantlines between the removable work roll supporting housing and thefixedframe of an edging mill. This device includes a first set ofnipples on the housing and a matching second set ofnipples on the frame.These nipples are the type which seal themselves when the nipples areseparated. A fluid system on the fixed frame shifts the second set ofnipples between a first position with the nipples joined and a secondposition with the nipples separated. When the nipples are separated, thehousing may be removed from the frame without interference from thenipples on the frame.

Disclosure The present invention pertains to the general art of rollingmills used for foming continuously moving metal workpieces, such asmetal strip, and more particularly to a remotely operated fluid couplingmechanism for a rolling mill, or a similar device.

This invention is particularly applicable for use on a rolling mill usedin sizing metal strip and including a pair of parallel working rollssecured within a housing or housings releasably mounted onto a fixedframe structure, and it will be described with particular reference tothis specific application; however, it will be appreciated that theinvention has much broader uses and may be used with other devices whichrequire a remotely operated fluid connection between a first fixedstructural member and a second structural member releasably securedthereto.

The production of thin gauged metal strip generally requires a rollingmill having at least one pair of parallel working rolls between whichthe strip passes. These working rolls may either reduce the thickness ofthe strip, or size the width of the strip according to the dispositionof the working rolls with respect to the strip. The lattermentionedoperation employs a mill known as an edging mill. The present inventionis particularly applicable to an edging mill because the working rollsare each secured within a housing member that must be removed from themill when work is to be done on the working roll. The frequent removalof the roll supporting housing presents certain difliculties. Forinstance, the roll housing is .provided with a network of fluid conduitsfor directing lubricants to the working roll bearings and forcirculating cooling water through the housing to reduce the temperatureof the bearings and the rolls in general. Fliud, such as lubricant andcoolant, must be directed into the working roll housing from the fixedframe onto which the housing is secured. Coupling and uncoupling thefluid conduits in the housing with appropriate fittings on the fixedframe has heretofore required a considerable amount of time because thecouplings between the housing and the frame must be located in somewhatinaccessible places. Also, the previously used fluid couplingarrangements presented protruding elements which somewhat hindered theactual removal of the housing from the mill frame.

All of these disadvantages of the prior fluid coupling 3,406,552Patented Oct. 22, 1968 mechanisms between the workingroll housing andthe fixed frame of an edging mill are completely overcome by the presentinvention which is directed toward an improved fluid coupling mechanismwhich is remotely operated and presents no interference to the actualremoval of the housing from the mill when disconnected or uncoupe Inaccordance with the broadest aspect 'of'the' present invention, there isprovided a fluid coupling mechanism between a supply of pressurizedfluid supported onto a first structural member and a fluid conduit onasecond structural member releasably secured to the first member. Thiscoupling mechanism comprises a first nipple on the second member andcommunicated with the conduit and a second nipple, with each nipplehaving an internal passageway and a valve element normally closing thepassageway. There is also provided means on at least one of the nipplesfor opening the valve elements when the nipples are forced together. Thesecond nipple is supported onto a piston having a central passagewaycommunicating the passageway of the second nipple with the supply ofpressurized fluid. The piston is reciprocally received within a cylinderfixedly secured onto the first structural member and axially alignedwith the first nipple, and means are provided for selectively directingfluid into the cylinder to move the piston between a first position withthe nipples separated and a second position with the nipples forcedtogether whereby fluid may be directed from the pressurized supply,through the passageways and into the fluid conduit when the nipples arein the second position.

When this fluid coupling mechanism is used for all of the fluidconnections between the working roll housing and fixed frame of anedging roll, the second nipples may be moved in unison away from theworking roll housing by a remote actuator, such as a valve. With all ofthe second nipples drawn or forced away from the working roll housings,the housings may be easily removed from the edging roll withoutinterference from protruding elements on the coupling mechanism. Whenthe working roll housing is replaced, the remote actuator forces allsecond nipples into the first nipples on the working roll housings sothat the bearings may be lubricated and coolant may be circulatedthrough the housing. After the bearings are adequately lubricated, thecoupling mechanisms used for the lubricant may be detached, while thecoupling mechanisms for the coolant system are maintained in theiroperative position for continuous use. This arrangement provides asubstantial improvement in the fluid coupling arrangement between theremovable working roll housing and fixed frame of the standard edgingmill.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription used to illustrate the preferred embodiments of theinvention as read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic view showing, in cross-section, the generalapplication of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the preferredembodiment of the present invention; and

FIGURE 3 is anenlarged cross-sectional view, similar to FIGURE 2 andshowing a modification of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposeof illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only and not forthe purpose of limiting same, FIGURE 1 shows an edging mill A for sizingthe transverse edges of a moving strip B. The edging mill isschematically illustrated as including a lower fixed frame 10 and ahousing 12 releasably secured onto the frame with known structures, notshown. Housing 12 supports a working roll 20, and a similar housing. isprovided for 3 mounting a parallel working roll 22. The rolls 20, 22 aredriven by motors M1, M2, respectively, which are shown onlyschematically to better represent the environment to which the presentinvention is particularly adapted. Each housing 12 is identical;therefore, only one housing is shown and will be discussed. The housingsupports bearings 24, 26 which engage the axially spaced necks of theworking roll to hold the roll in an operative position. Sealing rings30, 32 coact with a plurality of annular seals 34 to isolate thebearings 24, 26 from the operative por tion of the roll.

Housing 12 includes a bearing lubricant system having inlets 40, 42 andoutlets 44, 46. Referring now to the portion of the lubricant systemsfor bearing 24, an inlet conduit is connected to inlet 40, and outletconduit 52 is connected to outlet 44. A chamber 54 surrounds bearing 24and communicates the inlet conduit 50 with the outlet conduit 52. Theportion of the lubricant system for lubricating bearing 26 is somewhatsimilar to the portion of the lubricant system for lubricating bearing24. This former-mentioned portion includes inlet conduit connected toinlet 42, and outlet conduit 62 connected to outlet 46. A chamber *64surrounds bearing 26 and provides communication between the inlet andoutlet conduits. The lubricant system not only supplies lubricant to thebearings, but also circulates lubricant through the bearing chambers sothat rejuvenated lubricant is periodically supplied to the bearingchambers 54, 64.

To remove heat from the housing 12, especially adjacent bearings 24, 26,the housing is provided with a coolant system including annular passages72. An inlet 74 is communicated with inlet conduits 76, 78 connectedwith passages 70, 72, respectively. A coolant outlet 80 is communicatedwith outlet conduits 82, 84, which direct coolant from the annularpassages 70, 72. Consequently, the coolant system provides a continuousflow of coolant through the critical areas of housing 12.

It is appreciated that the edging mill A, as so far described, issomewhat conventional, and it is only schematically represented toillustrate the environment to which the invention to be described indetail, is particularly adapted. The particular cooling and lubricatingsystems may be changed without depanting from the invention.

When the rolls 20, 22 are to be reground or otherwise repaired, one orboth of the housings 12 must be removed and taken to a maintenance area.This presents certain practical problems. The lubricant system andcoolant systemfor the housings must be disconnected from the fixed frame10 even though the location of the various inlets and outlets issomewhat inaccessible. For this reason, it has heretofore been a timeconsuming task to efiiciently remove one of the roll housings from thefixed frame. The present invention is directed toward a couplingmechanism for the inlets and outlets which mechanism substantiallydecreases the elfort, and time, required to disconnect the housings andremove the same from the edging mill proper.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided novel couplingmechanisms 100, 102 for inlets 40, 42 and novel coupling mechanisms 104,106 for outlets 46, 44. Each of the coupling mechanisms is substantiallyidentical; therefore, only coupling mechanism will be described indetail, and this description will apply equally to the other couplingmechanisms. Referring now to FIG- URE 2, coupling mechanism 100 includesa first nipple 110 having an upwardly extending threaded shank 111secured onto inlet 40. The first nipple is best shown in FIGURE 3 andincludes an internal passageway 112 communicated with conduit 50 and aball valve element 114 adapted to engage selectively valve seat 116under the influence of biasing spring 118. An O-ring seal 120 isprovided in a lowermost portion of passageway 112.

A second nipple 130, best shown in FIGURE 3, includes passageway 132 anda reciprocal poppet valve 134 having a nose 136 extending outwardly fromshank 137, a

4 valve seat element 138, and a spring support stern 140. Coil spring142 is received around stem and biases the valve element 138 into theclosed position. The outer housing of second nipple 130 includes a seat144 coacting with element 138 to seal passageway 132, and an aperture146 in shank 137.

In operative of the two nipples, when the nipples are in a first, ordown position, they are separated and the valve elements 114, 138 areclosed. Consequently, there is no flow path through the respectivenipples. The nipples are separated by a distance x which allows thehousing 12 to be moved transversely as shown by the arrows in FIG- URES2 and 3 without interference from upwardly projecting structuralelements. This substantially enhances the ability to remove housings 12from the edging .mill for repair purposes. When nipple 130 is forcedupwardly into a second position, the shank 137 moves into passageway 112and shifts the ball valve element 114 from its seat. O-ring 120 engagesshank 137 below orifice 146 to provide a closed connection between thetwo nipples. Also, the orifice 146 is then directly communicated withpassageway 112 of nipple 110. Ball valve element 114, when the nipplesare in the second position, abuts nose 136 and forces poppet valve 134downwardly. This lifts valve element 138 from its seat 144 and providesa direct communication between the passageway 132 of the second nippleand passageway 112 of the first nipple. In this second position, thecoupling mechanism 100 is ready to direct lubricant into conduit 50.

Referring again to FIGURE 2, the structure utilized by mechanism 100 forshifting the position of nipple 130 with respect to nipple 110 includesan annular piston 150 having a hollow rod 152 onto which nipple 130 isfixed. Passageway 132 of nipple 130 is communicated with central passage154 of the rod by an aperture 156. A cylinder is fixedly secured ontoframe 10 so that nipple 130 is vertically aligned with nipple 110. Thecylinder includes an annular piston receiving passageway 162 which isclosed by an upper end cap 164. A rod seal 166 is held in position by aring 168 to prevent fluid flow outward around the rod from passageway162. An upwardly extending support sleeve 170 in cylinder 160 has anouter surface 172 telescopically receiving the reciprocal hollow rod152. Sleeve 170 is provided with a passageway 174 communica ted directlyto central passage 154 and a lower cap 176 to close the lower end of thesleeve. A dust shield or bellows 177 is provided between ring 168 andthe upper portion of nipple 130.

A lower passage 180 is communicated with cylinder passageway 162 on theside of piston 150 opposite from second nipple 130. In a similar manner,an upper passage 182 is communicated with passageway 162 on the side ofpiston 150 facing the second nipple 130. Opposite passage 180 there is afluid passage 184 which acts as either an inlet or as an outlet,according to the function desired for the coupling mechanisms.

In operation, fluid is introduced into lower passage 180 while upperpassage 182 is exhausted or vented. This forces nipple 130 into nipple110 and opens the internal valve elements of these nipples. Thereafter,fluid may flow through the nipples and passage 184. By connectingpassage 180 with a vent and connecting passage 182 with a supply ofpressurized fluid, the nipples are separated, as shown in FIGURE 2. Thiscloses the internal valve elements of the nipples and prevents fluidflow therethrough. Of course, the pressure of the fluid introduced intopassage 182 must be'sufficiently high to force piston 50 downwardlyagainst any force upwardly by fluids within passages 154, 174. Theparticular construction of mechanism 100 includes a plurality ofconcentric elements; therefore, the ease of manufacturing this mechanismis readily apparent.

Referring again to FIGURE 1, the system secured with respect to thefixed frame 10 for supplying lubricant to the housing 12 andactuating'the coupling mechanisms 100, 102, 104 and 106 is schematicallyillustrated. A hydraulic line 200 is connected with the lower passages180 of the mentioned coupling mechanisms. In a like manner, a hydraulicline 202 having branches 204, 206 is connected with the upper passages182. A valve 210 controls fluid flow to lines 200, 202 for raising andlowering the second nipples 130. This valve includes a housing 212having openings 214, 216, 218, 220 and 222. Reciprocally mounted withinthe housing is a shuttle 230 having recesses 232, 234, 236 and 238. Aport 240 joins recesses 232, 236, and a port 242 joins recesses 234,238.

The shuttle 230 is reciprocated selectively by an appropriate actuator,schematically represented as a lever 250 and a connecting link 252. Whenthe lever 250 is positioned as shown in FIGURE 1, line 202 ishydraulically communicated with opening 222, and line 200 iscommunicated with opening 220. When the shuttle 230 is shifted by movinglever 250 to the dashed line position, line 202 is connected withopening 220 and line 200 is connected with opening 222. Consequently,movement of lever 250 reverses the openings which are communicated withthe control lines for the four coupling mechanisms.

Hydraulic fluid is maintained within a reservoir 260 from which it maybe forced by a pump 262 through line 264 to opening 220. A filter 266 isprovided within a return line 268 connecting the reservoir with opening222. Lubricant is maintained within a second reservoir 270 connected byline 272 with passages 184 of mechanisms 100, 102. A return line 274communicates the passages 184 of mechanisms 104, 106 with the lubricantreservoir 270. The lubricant is pressurized by a pump 27-6 in line 272and is cleaned by a filter 278 in line 274.

In operation, when the housings 12 are in place, lever 250 is moved intothe position shown in FIGURE 1. Pressurized fluid is forced throughopening 220 into line 200 and the pistons 150 are moved upwardly. Thisforces the second nipples 130 of mechanisms 100', 102, 104 and 106 intothe respective first nipples 110. Branch 206 of line 202 is communicatedwith opening 222 so that hydraulic fluid is returned to reservoir 260through filter 266. In this position, pump 276 forces lubricant throughthe mechanisms 100, 102 into the bearing chambers 54, 64. The lubricantthen flows through the mechanisms 104, 106 and filter 278 back into thereservoir 270. After the bearings are properly lubricated with cleanlubricant, lever 250 is moved to the left. This communicates line 202with opening 220 and line 200 with opening 222. In this manner,pressurized hydraulic fluid is forced through passages 182 of thecoupling mechanisms, and passages 180 are vented to the return line 268.This uncouples the various coupling mechanisms until further lubricantis required. While uncoupled, the mechanisms present no interference tothe removal of housings 12.

Referring now to the water system within the housings 12, there isprovided a coupling mechanism 280, partially shown in FIGURE 1. Thismechanism is moved upwardly and downwardly by a separate system similarto the system disclosed in connection with the coupling mechanisms forlubricating bearings 24, 26. The outlet 80 for the cooling system isprovided with an outlet nipple 282 and an outlet line 284. Couplingmechanism 280 is maintained in the coupled position during continued useof the edging mill. Water is continuously circulated through themechanism 280 and out the line 284. When it is desired to remove one ofthe housings 12, mechanism 280 is shifted into the uncoupled orseparated position so that the coupling mechanism presents very littleinterference to the actual removal of the housing from the edging mill.All of the coupling mechanisms are remotely controlled so that anoperator does not have to work in an inaccessible location to uncouplethe various fluid connections of a housing 12 preparatory to its removalfrom the mill.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, a modification of the present invention isillustrated. Remotely controlled couplingmechanism 300 includes a piston302 having a rod 304 which supports the nipple 130. A central passage306 extends through the rod to the under side of the piston 302 andthus, provides communication between the side of the piston oppositenipple 130 and the nipple passageway 132. A cylinder 310 supported onfixed frame 10 reciprocally receives piston 302 within a chamber 312.The end of the chamber is closed by a cap 314, a seal 316 and a holdingring 318. The lower portion of chamber 312 includes a bottom abutment320, which maintains the piston 302 away from the bottom of the chamber.

Passages 322, 324 are connected onto fluid lines 330, 332, respectively.A remotely operated valve 340, some. what similar to valve 210, connectslines 330, 332 selectively with the pressure line 264 and the exhaust268 of reservoir 260. In this embodiment of the invention, the secondnipple 130 is moved by the lubricant itself and not by separatehydraulic systems.

In operation, lubricant is maintained within reservoir 260 and pump 262forces the lubricant through line 330 into chamber 312 on the side ofpiston 302 opposite from nipple 130. In this manner, the piston 302 ismoved upwardly, and the nipples 110, 130 are forced together. This opensthe nipple passageways and allows lubricant to flow through centralpassage 306 into the lubricant system of the housing 12. Since thebottom area of piston 302 is substantially larger than the area ofpassage 306, the piston is held in the up position even through thenipples are open. To disconnect the nipples, valve 340 is shifted toreverse the connections of lines 330, 332. This forces pressurizedlubricant into chamber 312 on the side of the piston facing the nipple130. At the same time, the opposite side of the piston is exhaustedthrough line 268. This causes the nipples to separate and close. Thissame type of mechanism could be used for coupling the water system ofhousing 12 if the reservoir 260 includes water; however, the couplingmechanism 300 is primarily used for the lubricant system.

The embodiments of the invention shown in FIGURES 2 and 3 provide amechanism for remotely operating the various fluid connections betweenthe working roll housing of an edging mill and the fixed frame of themill. The benefits of this type of arrangement in an edging mill havebeen previously discussed.

The present invention has been described in connection with certainstructural embodiments; however, it should be appreciated that variouschanges may be made in these embodiments without departing from theintended spirit and scope of the present invention.

Haring thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In a rolling mill including two parallel working rolls, each rollhaving axially spaced necks, a housing releasably secured onto astationary mill frame, journal means in said housing and surroundingsaid necks for supporting said working rolls, means for rotating saidworking rolls to process a workpiece passing between said rolls, aconduit in said housing and communicated with said journal means forlubricating said journal means, said conduits having at least one inleton said housing, and means for forcing lubricant through said inlet andinto said conduit, the improvement comprising: said lubricant forcingmeans comprising a first nipple on said housing at said inlet, a secondnipple, said nipples each having an internal passageway and a valveelement norma'ly closing said passageway, means on at least one of saidnipples for opening said valve elements when said nipples are forcedtogether, said second nipple being supported on a piston having acentral passageway communicating said passageway of said second nipplewith a pressurized supply of lubricant fixed with respect to saidstationary mill frame, a cylinder fixedly secured onto said stationarymill frame and axially aligned with said first nipple when said housingis secured onto said frame, said piston being reciprocally received insaid cylinder, and means for 7 selectively directing fluid into saidcylinder to move said piston between a first position with said nipplesseparatedand a second position with said nipples forced together wherebylubricant is directed from said' supply to said housing conduit.

'2. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said centralpassageway extends through said piston to the side of said pistonopposite said second nipple, a first supply conduit communicating saidlubricant supply with said cylinder on the side of said piston oppositesaid second nipple, and said fluid directing means comprising firstcontrol valve means for selectively opening and closing said supplyconduit whereby when said conduit is opened said lubricant forces saidpiston to said second position and when said lubricant is closed saidpiston can move to said first position.

' 3. The improvement as defined in claim 2 wherein said fluid directingmeans also includes a second supply conduit communicated with saidcylinder on the side of said piston facing said second nipple, andsecond control valve means for connecting said second supply conduitwith a supply of pressurized fluid when said first control valve meansis closed whereby said piston is forced into said first position.

4. Theimprovement as defined in claim 3 wherein said supply ofpressurized fluid is said pressurized supply of lubricant.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said cylinder includesan internal sleeve communicated with said pressurized supply oflubricant, said piston is annular and includes a hollow rodtelescopically received over said sleeve, said control passageway beingcommunicated with the interior of said sleeve and rod, and said fluiddirecting means being a supply of pressurized fluid and control valvemeans for selectively communicating said supply of pressurized fluid toeither the side of said annular piston opposite said second nipple tomove said piston into said second position or the side of said annularpiston facing said second nipple to move said piston into said firstposition.

6. The improvement as defined in claim 5 including means venting theside of said annular piston opposite to the side communicated with saidsupply of pressurized fluid by said control valve means.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 1 including a second housingconduit communicated with said journal means, said second conduitterminating in an outlet and means for opening said outlet when saidpiston is in said second position.

8. A fluid coupling mechanism between a supply of pressurized fluidsupported onto a first structural member and a fluid conduit on a secondstructural member releasably secured onto said first structural member,said coupling mechanism comprising a first nipple on said second memberand-communicatedwith said conduit, a second nipple, said nipples eachhaving an internal passageway and a valve element normally closing saidpassageway, means on at least one of said nipples for opening said valveelements when said nipples are forced together, said second nipple beingsupported on a piston having a central passageway communicating saidpassageway of said second nipple with said supply of pressurized fluid,a cylinder fixedly secured onto said first structural member and axiallyaligned with said first nipple when said second member is secured ontosaid first member, said piston being reciprocally received in saidcylinder, and means for selectively directing fluid into said cylinderto move said piston between a first position with said nipples separatedand a second position with said nipples forced together whereby fluid isdirected from said supply, through said passageways and into said fluidconduit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,294,913 2/1919 Johnson137--614.03 1,551,261 8/1925 Milner 137-614.03 1,575,755 3/1926 Gresser137614.03 1,697,314 l/l929 Gresser 137614.03 2,460,137 1/ 1949 Lindeman137-61403 3,298,680 1/1967 Jablin 285-18 CHARLES W. LANHAM, PrimaryExaminer. E. M. COMBS, Assistant Examiner.

